Mean People Deserve Love Too

And the second is this. 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:39

Allot of you may think my title is ridiculous. "No way Becky. People who treat me mean do not deserve my love at all! Why should I love someone who talks down to me and acts like they can't stand me."  Why indeed! Maybe because God says to? Love covers a multitude of sins it says in 1 Peter 4:8. Love has a transcending power through cultures and generations. Showing love can break through the hardest exterior.

Sometimes even when you show love you may not instantly get love back but keep on showing love. Whether to an unloving and verbally abusive spouse, a arrogant clerk,a rude disrespectful child who was taught otherwise, or anyone you encounter who just seems less than joyful.

Love has the power to heal a wounded heart. Love is from God therefore when we see examples of the beheadings by the ISIS rebels we know there's no part of our Holy God Jehovah Jireh living in them.God can transform really evil people though as it happened in the Bible.

Who do you need to show love to? Sometimes it is necessary to overcome evil and bad behavior with good. That's in the Bible too.

 PRAYER: Lord I want to show your love to all those around me even when it is hard. Help me to remember to pray for the unloving and those around our world who are just plain evil. Help me love through you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a wonderful praise and worship song:
 http://youtu.be/AibBR6j2g54

Unconditional Love...Just Live It!

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7

It is so easy to love people when they are nice to us, but when we are mistreated by someone, sometimes even a family member, it is difficult to act Christlike. But guess what? We are supposed to do just that.  Sometimes when I am confronted with a situation that requires unconditional love I think to myself 'be kind Becky and overcome evil with good.' Then there is the standard 'what would Jesus do' response which is often helpful as well. 

Make up your mind that you are going to love like Jesus' loves. If you catch yourself thinking mean or revengeful thoughts pause and pray and ask for God's strength to show His love to those you are dealing with.  This could be co workers, your children, your spouse, a friend, or a total stranger.  

God's way is always the way of love. 

PRAYER: When I feel upset or angry Lord I know you understand but I know you want me to be loving and be a good example and not fuel the fires of meanness. Give me strength. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Love Meter

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

How is your love meter registering? Loving all people can sometimes be tough. Sometimes it is even difficult to love those closest to you. Love is the greatest commandment. Loving people above things and above yourself. Being unselfish and kind. Being gentle when you would rather be rude. Showing love to the unloveable or even those people you maybe do not agree with. 

Review 1 Corinthians chapter 13 when you get a moment. It is called the 'love chapter' in the Bible and has valuable scripture that if followed can keep your life on track and your love meter full. Pray each day and ask God to give you love for all kinds of people. We even are supposed to love and pray for our enemies. Now that one is tough especially of someone has hurt or betrayed you. Human nature wants to lash out and God's nature wants us to love unconditionally. There is your assignment. Go into the world and show God's love.

PRAYER: Give me the ability Lord to love others through you. Open my eyes to hurting people and help me show kindness and respect in addition to love. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

DON'T LOSE THAT LOVING FEELING

Valentine’s Day is here but why is it necessary to have a secular holiday in order to show love? Love is something that should be ever present especially if you claim to be a believer. 

This holiday puts expectations on some and pressure on others. Some choose to not celebrate and do their own thing later after all why do you need February 14 to say you love someone? Keep being loving the other 364 days as well. Re read 1 Corinthians 13 especially the verse 7 which says '7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.' Stop for a moment and think what that verse is saying.

Can you truly "turn the other cheek" and move on beyond conflict? Can you show unconditional love even when you may not feel like it?A good section of scripture to read in the Bible on married love would be Ephesians Chapter 5. When you have time later today why not get a cup of coffee or tea and sit down and read what that says,particularly verses 25-33 of Chapter 5. 

It does not have to be Valentines Day to express love. Many often say this day is just a day conjured up to sell flowers or candy. Hey guys reading this, flowers are a great idea anytime. There is not a woman alive that would not like them. So today on this "day of love" why not find a person in your path and shine the love of Jesus' on them?

PRAYER: Your love is perfect. Your love is unconditional. Your love knows no ends. That is the kind of love I want.Help me not lose that "loving feeling". In Jesus' name. Amen. 

FRIENDS ARE SO IMPORTANT

As I get closer to the New Year I reflect back on the joy of friendship. I have learned much throughout the years about what to do and not to do with some people. I have had joys and I have had sorrows. A friend can make you or break you as well. There is a Bible verse that simply says 'Bad company corrupts morals' (1 Corinthians 15:33). Another verse says 'A companion of fools suffers harm' (Proverbs 16:20).

I like the saying "If you want to be a friend you have to show yourself friendly". That is oh so true. Don't wait for someone else to make the first move. We can make friends in very unique places and ways. The good thing is to keep prayer in the center of making friends.

Jesus is of course, or should be, your very best friend. Is he? A best friend is someone you want to be with and spend time with. A friend is someone who loves you, warts and all. That is how Jesus loves us. A friend listens and does not put you down and hurt you. A friend is there when the world runs out on you. A friend understands and does not judge you. A friend hurts when you hurt. I could go on and on. This is exactly the kind of friend Jesus' is.

James 4:8 says 'Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts.' Luke 6:31 says 'And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.'

Jesus wants you to want to hang out with Him. Often as we rush through our days we barely give him a thought much less sitting down to be still and quiet and "talk" to Him.

Revelation 3:20 says 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.' Are you ready to be a real friend of Jesus today?

PRAYER: Lord God thank you for the blessings of friendships. Thanks for being my best friend. Forgive me when I have ignored you. I want to be a better friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

LOVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Love is a great big word often thrown around casually without even truly knowing and understanding the true meaning of it. So many people love "conditionally" as is evident by the soaring divorce rates and court battles. Love is more than a feeling.

When you say you love someone, and this includes your friends and family, why not take a peek at 1 Corinthians 13. If you have your Bible handy look it up now. In verse 7 of that chapter it says 'love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things'. Now that is commitment and true love. Love does not think of itself first but puts others first.

Sometimes in life we run into people who you feel like you don't like or prefer to not be around or maybe it is someone you disagree with. Perhaps you judge this person for something they can do nothing about like the color of hair they were born with or a deformity. The point is, if you name the name of Jesus you should love like He loves. His love is "unconditional".

In Matthew 22:36-40(ESV) it says “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Knowing this why do so many people harbor hate and grudges? Not all people are humanly likable but we need to love like Jesus loved.This goes for your supposed "enemies" or those who have treated you with disrespect or hate. Try praying for them instead even though it is difficult and see if your heart does not feel better.

Go now and love like Jesus!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to show love to everyone. Sometimes it may be hard so please help me have a heart of compassion for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a praise song by Dove Award winner singer/songwriter Aaron Shust, who by the way will be in concert this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Asbury Church, 138 Gillespie Rd in Madison, Alabama in the Grace Building. It is a free benefit concert. I plan to be there to lift up the name of Jesus through his music.

http://youtu.be/8iSVF2XM7yQ

LOVE MONTH NEARING AN END BUT .......

 .....Not the love. Valentines' Day 2013 may have come and gone but
love and kindness should be ongoing throughout the year. Being nice
and showing love is not just for February but should be the other 364
days of the year. Why should we need a holiday to show love, respect,
friendship, and kindness to our significant other or those around us?

1 John 4:7(NIV) says 'dear friends let us love one another, for love
comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows
God.' Do you have that kind of love for those you come in contact
with? It is easy to hate and hold grudges but love should be your aim.

Love can lift you from a pit of despair. Let's review 1 Corinthians
13:4-8(NIV) which makes it pretty simple. It says 'Love is patient,
love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily
angered and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts,always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where
there are prophecies they will cease. Where there are tongues they
will be stilled. Where there is knowledge it will pass away.'

There you have it. Why not try to sear those verses in your heart and

follow them for a wonderful loving life? Now go and love with the love of Jesus!

PRAYER:Lord you love us with an everlasting unconditional love. Your
mercy is forever. Lord I want to show unconditional love to others
also. Help me as I walk the path of love I should be staying on. In
Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for a powerful praise song.
http://youtu.be/IoezWBPGRAc

LOVE IS PRETTY IMPORTANT

Today is the big day of love. Some think it was created by a card company to sell more cards but whatever the case it is a day for an opportunity to show that someone special your love. Love is indeed what makes the world go around.

Let me go over 1 Corinthians 13:4-7(NIV)

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.' Think about those words for a while. This does not have to necessarily be in a romantic relationship but love in general for friends and others around you on a daily basis. It is so easy to hate and to be angry. Effortless as a matter of fact. Love should be the aim of every Christian, especially in marriage relationships to always be thinking what you can do for the other person, not just on Valentine's Day. When something starts to make you angry note that anger is not from God. Ask God to restore you to a love relationship and renew your mind getting bad, bitter thoughts out. Is there someone you need to show special love to not just today but every day of the year? 1 John 4:8(NIV) says 'Whoever does not love, does not know God. For God is love.' PRAYER: Father I thank you for your gift of love. Thank you for giving me love for those around me even when they hurt or offend me. Help me learn to love like you would and move on and not hold grudges. Let my love shine so Jesus' is seen through me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

FORGIVE....JUST DO IT!!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. No matter whether you celebrate
this day or not, it is a day of red roses, chocolates, and hearts.
Basically a day for love. Why only have one day for love but why not
let love be your aim around the clock?

Valentine's Day puts undue pressure on young men who are not attached
because if they ask a girl out on that particular day she may get the
wrong message. Basically as my younger son used to call it years ago,
"Singles Awareness Day". Sort of catchy isn't it?

True love involves more than just being romantic. For a married couple
it is about commitment, trust, putting the other person first, and
learning to say you are sorry and ask forgiveness. The person who has
been hurt needs to show their love by not keeping a record of wrongs
as it says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, found in the infamous "love chapter"
in the Bible.

Forgiveness is a major part of loving someone. Learning to let go of
an irritation and forgive whether they asked or not. Unforgiveness
does nothing but drive people further apart and makes anger fester.
Not forgiving is our human side and it is what the devil wants. Now if
on the other hand someone is reading this who is being physically
harmed by a spouse or a date then you need to seek protection as the
individual may need help. Hopefully no one reading this fits that
category but if so get help not hurt.

Being unable to forgive breaks families apart, ends relationships of
friends, can have two adult siblings unable to communicate, and many
other things. Does not sound like a character trait for a believer to
possess now does it? It is so easy to be angry and want our way. That
is self just getting in the way.

Love is a great thing particularly when it is unselfish. That is what
it is about. Are you able to turn the other cheek, get on with life,
and show forgiveness? Are you able to pray for the person who hurt you
or maybe in worse case scenario, killed a family member? Wow that last
one is a biggie. Matthew 5:44(KJV) says 'But I say to you, love your
enemies and pray for those, who persecute you.'

Ephesians 4:32(NIV) says 'Be kind and compassionate to one another
forgiving one another just as Christ God forgave you.' I challenge
you today to make a list of anyone you are harboring something against
and pray and give that over to the Lord. If necessary pray for
restoration of a relationship when appropriate.

Is there a person in your life you need to forgive? Well then,go and just do it!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is through you that we are able to show grace,
mercy, and forgiveness to someone who may not deserve it. It is part

of what love is all about. Let me reach out to people with God's love
around the clock and not harbor things in my heart. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord:
Forgiveness by Matthew West
http://youtu.be/wz3tkHv5sbg

THE LOVE MONTH

 The entry to 2013 is now well underway and now we are at the 4th day
of February. After a series of devotions on new starts and new
beginnings, this month the primary focus will be on love. Most people
familiar with the Bible can probably tell you the "love chapter" is 1
Corinthians 13. Read it when you have a moment.

Love is patient. It is not rude. Love thinks of others first. Love is
respectful and kind . Love does not remember wrongs suffered or hold

grudges. Love forgives. Love doesn't lash out at others with hateful
words.

The greatest example of love ever was Jesus dying a painful torturous
death on a cross for us and what does He do? He forgives his accusers
and the men who nailed Him up there. Imagine that? We humans have a
hard time forgiving some things but imagine this ultimate test of
letting the hurt go. What good does it do anyway?

Is there someone in your life that has hurt you and maybe never even
knew it that you need to let go of the emotional pain before you can
move on? Some have been rejected by peers, friends, parents, spouses,
children,employers, and yes even those in their own church! Dwelling
on the pain and the injustice done will achieve nothing. Part of love
and being loving is being willing to let go. Get Christian counseling
if necessary but do not keep harboring a hurt.

The Bible sums it up pretty good when it says in Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
'Love The Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and all
your strength.The second is this, Love your neighbor as yourself. This
is the second and greatest commandment.'

PRAYER: Father give me the ability to let go of hurts and dwell on
showing love to those you have placed in my life. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song:
http://youtu.be/3nUl0vcXrHw

MY BEST FRIEND

When asked who your best friend is, if you are married you might
answer your spouse. Perhaps you might list a dear friend from high
school or college. Maybe you will say your mom or dad or your sibling.
Do you ever consider Jesus as your best friend? Would you like Him to
be?

To be a best friend you need to be loyal, kind, uplifting, faithful,
honest, and loving. Jesus is all that and more. You may not be able to
call Him up and have Him meet you for coffee but He is with you
everywhere you go anyway. ( See Matthew 28:20).

Sometimes earthly friends can disappoint or hurt us. Jesus will never
hurt you, abandon you, be ashamed of you ,or forsake you.

When our youngest son was very small and he would often tell us he
loved us 'one less than God'. From the mouth of babes. A friend told
me she was praying for her child's spouse to love God more than her
child. Isn't that awesome?! When you love the Lord you hunger for His
word and want to put Him first. You love every person to include your
spouse if you are married, with the love God has given you, that
being unconditional love. Who wouldn't want that?

Matthew 22:37(NIV) says 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart,
your soul, and all your mind.'. Mark 12:31(NIV) further states the
greatest commandment is 'to love your neighbor as yourself.'

Do you want to truly make Jesus first in 2013 and let Him be your best
friend. By spending quality time with Him in His word you will be a
better friend to your earthly best friend.

PRAYER: Lord I want you to be my best friend. I know loving you first
and spending time in your word helps me to love others better with the
love only you can give. In Jesus name. Amen.

LOVE IS SPECIAL

Yesterday would have been the 65th wedding anniversary for my mom and
dad had he not passed away at a way too young age of 71 in 1992. Now
that is a long lasting marriage! Love is special. The feeling for some
may not always be there but love is commitment, honor, respect, and
much more. Too many do not hang in there and give up on love. That was
never God's plan for married love.

Love is mentioned over and over in God's word, the Bible. Love is more

than the mushy sentimental feeling of young lovers Love, as it says
in 1 Corinthians 13, is patient, kind, unselfish, does not keep record
of wrongs, and much more.

God's love for us is 100 percent unconditional. Oh if only we humans
could love 100 percent of the time like Jesus. No holding grudges. No
bitterness. No jealousy. No hatred. Unconditional. He loves us even
when we do not seemingly deserve it.

We who call ourselves believers are supposed to display that kind of
love for those around us. In 1 John 4:20(NIV) it says 'If anyone says
"I love God" but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone whom does
not love his brother who he has seen,cannot love God, whom he has not
seen?' John 13:35 (NIV) also says ' By this all men will know that
you are my disciples if you have love me for another.'

At Christmas everyone seems to be nice and show love. Why not let that
Christmas feeling continue throughout the entire year?

PRAYER: For you so loved the world that you gave us your only
begotten son that whoever believes in you will have eternal life.
Thank you for that ultimate gift of love. Help me Lord learn your type
of love for all tho people in my daily path whether I agree with them
or not. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LOVE CAN SET YOU FREE

 I am not talking about romantic love in this devotion but love for those around you on a daily basis. Are you able to truly love like Jesus would love? This means  not saying harsh things to friends and family. This also means putting others before yourself. It means loving when you do not feel like it. Can you forget the mistakes of others? Are you able to let things go, move on,and forgive? It means giving up your 'right' to get back at others. It means loving people who do not show love back.

 Most people are familiar with 'the love chapter' in the Bible which is 1 Corinthians 13. Take a moment and get your Bible and read it. If married couples would adhere to what it says there would a lot fewer quarrels in marriages and probably less lawyers getting rich off splitting up families. I know people who don't quarrel so it is possible. Try to please God and not try to win every disagreement. In verse 5 it says "Love does not keep a record of wrongs."  Imagine  that would you!! Never trying to prove you are right and just letting things go to keep peace. With God it is possible to do that. Maybe if that is your weak area in some relationship you could ask for God's strength to not record every wrong deed done to you. Doing that only makes you angry and bitter and certainly does nothing to fill up your 'love bank'.

Mark 12:30-31 says "Love the lord your God with all your heart with all your soul with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this. Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these."

Try something. Go walking in a mall and silently as you pass shoppers say to yourself "I love you and I love you and you too". Instead of judging people as they pass you, try sharing God's love. Try smiling. The smile is sort of a universal language of love.


 Try to show love to someone today. Be kind to your spouse, perhaps do something extra nice. Do something special for a friend. Whatever it is remember to be a representative of Jesus in all you say and do.

 PRAYER: Father forgive me if I have had times it is difficult to show love and kindness. I know you are sad when I do not love like you love. I want to do that. Thanks for forgiving me when I mess up. In Jesus name. Amen

ARGUE! WHO ME?

How do you end arguments if they come up? Usually the best way is if you are you wrong to admit it and if you are not wrong and other person keeps fighting to just talk peacefully and calmly.  Satan loves if it he can get people disagreeing and bickering and loves to cause arguments, in families especially. The home is supposed to be a joyful haven and it can be! When a disagreement occurs it is usually over something really minor and can get blown all out of proportion. It is best to recognize first our battle is not against flesh and blood but against Satan. John 10:10 says "Satan comes to kill, steal, and destroy".

   So many fights and people whose marriages broke up probably could have been avoided if they would have remembered that a soft answer turns away wrath(See Proverbs 15:1),do not keep a record of wrongs(1 Corinthians 15:5) and be able to say "I am sorry". If some one does not do this the battle rages on. There are families who have feuds over something that could be ended if they would come together, talk, and pray. You have to keep Christ in the center of relationships. James 1:20 says " for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."  It is impossible to lead a righteous life if we are angry and bitter.

How does an argument occur in the first place? Usually by a misunderstood or misspoken word. James chapter 3 warns of the dangers of the tongue. It is full of deadly poison unless controlled by the Holy Spirit. Anger sometimes also causes some people to spew forth cuss words. This should never happen. James 3:9-11 says "with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"

Psalm 101:2 says "I will try to walk a blameless path, but how I need your help, especially in my own home where I long to act as I should." Ephesians 4:26 says "And do not sin by letting anger control you. Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry."  Going to bed mad is not a good thing and you probably will not sleep anyway.

If people argued at work like some of them do at home they would be fired. Why is it easy to fight with those closest to us? It does not have to even happen. Make up your mind as a married couple you will not allow it to happen. Someone has to be able to put little brush fires out before they burn down the forest,in other words. To keep love alive you have to keep kindness, gentleness, respect, and the ability to forgive and forget alive. Have true unconditional genuine love. If you are reading this and have been quarreling and do not feel that love ask God to restore it. Newlyweds reading this have the chance to stay in the word of God together, pray together and not let divisions ever begin. Learn to blow things off. Learn to laugh.

If only people would get out the word of God and follow it but some would say "oh do not go getting religious on me and shoving the Bible down my throat!". Well guess what? Therein lie the answers and solutions to most of life's issues and problems.  The devil will do anything he can to keep you from wanting to read it. Satan would rather keep you mad and holding grudges. The Bible says in Proverbs 14:29 "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly." 2 Timothy 2:23 says "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." James 4:1 says "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?"

The Bible indeed has lots to say about fighting and quarrels. Try getting out your Bible and reading 1 Corinthians 13 each night for at least a week. Ask God to change your attitude if there is someone you are mad at or have had issues with. God can transform you and your hard heart if only you will ask Him. Replace anger with joy and a peaceful spirit. It is possible!!

PRAYER: Lord I do want to act like a Christian in all that I say and do. Forgive me for any anger or wrong thoughts I may have and help me to let go of anything inside of me that wants to stir up strife. I want to walk in peace and harmony and not give Satan a foothold. In Jesus name, Amen.